Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

We are discussing the series of arson attacks we have seen across the State over the past five years. Let us imagine that for the past five years there was, instead, a series of protests outside the holiday homes of the super rich and famous demanding that these homes be taken into the ownership of the State and used to accommodate homeless people. Let us imagine that two or three days after the protests, these holiday homes were burned down in the middle of the night. To be absolutely clear, I am not advocating the burning down of the holiday homes of the rich and famous - let us be clear on that - but it is useful for example and a useful comparison. Does anyone here seriously think that five years on from the start of a campaign such as that, there would be no one in jail for it, no one charged and maybe a dozen or so arrests? Does the Minister seriously think that? No way. It just would not be the case and everyone here knows it.

It is a different matter when the properties being targeted are the temporary homes of asylum seekers, one of the most vulnerable groups in society. A backbench Government TD, Deputy Costello of the Green Party, said recently that An Garda Síochána is not taking the series of arson attacks around the country seriously enough. He questioned whether the attacks were merely the actions of so-called lone wolves. I agree with him and I think it is a more than fair question. The Garda Commissioner has questions to answer in that regard. The burning of buildings does not merely cause damage measured in bricks and mortar. This campaign of terror turns up the temperature on race and fear. It has a direct impact on migrants, especially on people of colour, who feel the effects of the turning up of that temperature on the streets and sometimes even in their workplaces.

Partly as a result of arson attacks, but mainly as a result of Government failures, there will be, potentially, more than 1,000 asylum seekers sleeping rough in this State tonight. This is a case of the Government playing with fire. These asylum seekers have to deal with the weather. Let us hope they do not have to deal directly with a violent far right that has identified them as an enemy community. The Government will bear responsibility for any consequences that might ensue from that.

More than 90 organisations have endorsed the Stand Together national anti-racist demonstration in Dublin this Saturday, assembling at 1.30 p.m. in Parnell Square. I appeal to people to join this protest and say "No" to the far right and the politics of hate and "Yes" to taxes on the super rich in this society to provide housing, healthcare and a decent life for all.

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